Comedian and Actor Rik Mayall Has Died

Comedian and actor Rik Mayall – best known for his work in The Young Ones and Blackadder – has died at the age of 56.

A spokesperson for the star’s management company told The Press Association that he passed away this morning, although a cause of death was not given.

Rik Mayall (left) with his long-time friend and collaborator Ade Edmonson in a still from Bottom.

One of the UK’s most popular screen stars, Mayall shot to fame as part of The Comedy Strip, and as wannabe-anarchist Rick in The Young Ones.

He memorably played Tory MP Alan B’Stard in The New Statesman and Flashheart in Blackadder (see his understated performance below), while Mayall and friend Adrian Edmonson collaborated on a variety of projects, including three series’ of the foul and funny Bottom.

On the big screen the actor briefly popped up in The Slaughtered Lamb at the beginning of An American Werewolf in London, while further celluloid credits include Drop Dead Fred and Guest House Paradiso.

Chris Tilly is the Entertainment Editor for IGN in the UK and is very sad that we've lost a great one. He can be found talking nonsense on both Twitter and MyIGN.